Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947

Amazon.com
Los Angeles troubadour Michael Penn offers a compelling argument here that personal obsessions can often be a songwriter's most compelling muse. An intriguing concept album that revolves around Penn's introspective take on the brave new world of post-WW II America as channeled by the thoughts of its protagonists, Mr. Hollywood makes little effort at recreating the era's musical aura. Instead Penn details his retro-L.A. landscape via the emotional states of his song cycle's rich cast of characters (which includes the bewildered returning vet of "Walter Reed" and the shadowy film-noir protagonist of "Room 715, The Apache"), a gambit that effectively bridges the decades: Their pensiveness and wistful anxiety seem all too contemporary. The era's technical/historical landmarks are noted by such brief, impressionistic sound pastiches as "The Transistor," "18 September" (the date the National Security Act was established) and the jaunty "Television Set Waltz." Penn's stately, melancholy way with a ballad forms a firm foundation, yet the album's two-part structural conceit (which replicates LP sides) and such adventurous fare as the hypnotic, ethnically indeterminate dirge "Mary Lynn," "Bad Sign"'s lush pop-blues and the jangly, cautious optimism of "On Automatic" insure it never rests on nostalgia or the merely familiar. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
A new ALBUM PRESENTS 12 NEW SONGS SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF POST-WWII AMERICA Michael Penn is fascinated with the year 1947. "In so many of my interests and wherever they take me, that year keeps cropping up." On his new record Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947, Penn weaves historical, political and social events and themes into 12 meticulously crafted songs that tell a series of inter-connected stories of human relationships and romance set against the backdrop of post-World War II America. Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 paints a picture of a Los Angeles that doesn’t exist anymore. "When I was writing these songs I found that I was placing myself, people, places and events into a different world. I knew what it was. I recognized it. It was America in 1947," says Penn. "The events set in motion that year were resonating for me more than ever. Some of it was just little things. The Department of War got a name change. The National Security Act was passed and the C.I.A. was formed. It was the year of the U.N. Partition and the invention of the transistor. The point is, this isn’t what the record’s about, but it’s the sepia it occupies." On the self-produced album, Penn is joined by many longtime collaborators, including Patrick Warren (keyboards), Aimee Mann (background vocals and bass) and former member of L.A. cult band The Grays, Buddy Judge (harmony vocals). Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 will be released on Penn’s Mimeograph Records via spinART Records on August 2, 2005.

Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947

Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947,Michael Penn,Spin Art,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,College Rock,Pop,Pop Underground,Pop/Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

---

Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947

Average customer rating: A real gem! Even if you have the original release, you need this album!

Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947 Michael Penn Manufacturer: Sony Legacy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Palms & Runes, Tarot & Tea: A Michael Penn Collection Time on Earth Traffic and Weather Strangelet Meet the Smithereens! ASIN: B000NJISHA Release Date: 2007-04-17

Tracks:

1. Walter Reed
2. Denton Road
3. Room 712, The Apache
4. Pretending
5. The Transistor
6. Mary Lynn
7. 18 September
8. The Television Set Waltz
9. You Know How
10. A Bad Sign
11. O.K.
12. On Autmatic
13. (P.S.) Millionaire
14. Down By The Riverside

Customer Reviews:

A real gem!.......2007-07-19

Looking for well constructed songs with melodical & lyrical hooks? This is it! I cant say enough good things about this album! Michael Penn's albums just keep getting better and better as he goes.. This CD has all the trimmings and musicianship to keep you coming back for numerous listens!

Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. With the added disk of live(acoustic) material you can hear Michael raw and in top form! This without a doubt the best CD I have bought in the past 10 years!

Even if you have the original release, you need this album!.......2007-04-18

I own the original release of "Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947," and if you've read my review of that album, you know what a big fan I am of Michael Penn's work and of this album in particular. This remastered version makes a great thing even better.

The second disc is also full of gems recorded live during Michael Penn's September 2005 appearance on KCRW's radio show "Morning Becomes Eclectic." Pared down to elegant simplicity, the live versions of these songs are not to be missed. My personal favorite on this disc is his poignant "I Can Tell," which takes on a completely different character than the version released on the album "Resigned."

The KCRW recordings were not included with the original release of "Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947," so in and of themselves they make this album worth having, even if you already own the original. The remastered album itself is just the icing on the cake.

Average customer rating: Still Michael Penn Deep, melodic, fun music Wish there was more there. Great album from underappreciated talent Great Concept Album

Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 Michael Penn Manufacturer: Spin Art ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: March MP4: Days Since a Lost Time Accident Resigned Palms & Runes, Tarot & Tea: A Michael Penn Collection Free-for-All ASIN: B0009WFFRM Release Date: 2005-08-02

Tracks:

1. Walter Reed
2. Denton Road
3. Room712, The Apache
4. Pretending
5. The Transistor
6. Mary Lynn
7. 18 September
8. The Television Set Waltz
9. Your Know How
10. A Bad Sign
11. O.K.
12. On Automatic

Amazon.com

Los Angeles troubadour Michael Penn offers a compelling argument here that personal obsessions can often be a songwriter's most compelling muse. An intriguing concept album that revolves around Penn's introspective take on the brave new world of post-WW II America as channeled by the thoughts of its protagonists, Mr. Hollywood makes little effort at recreating the era's musical aura. Instead Penn details his retro-L.A. landscape via the emotional states of his song cycle's rich cast of characters (which includes the bewildered returning vet of "Walter Reed" and the shadowy film-noir protagonist of "Room 715, The Apache"), a gambit that effectively bridges the decades: Their pensiveness and wistful anxiety seem all too contemporary. The era's technical/historical landmarks are noted by such brief, impressionistic sound pastiches as "The Transistor," "18 September" (the date the National Security Act was established) and the jaunty "Television Set Waltz." Penn's stately, melancholy way with a ballad forms a firm foundation, yet the album's two-part structural conceit (which replicates LP sides) and such adventurous fare as the hypnotic, ethnically indeterminate dirge "Mary Lynn," "Bad Sign"'s lush pop-blues and the jangly, cautious optimism of "On Automatic" insure it never rests on nostalgia or the merely familiar. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

A new ALBUM PRESENTS 12 NEW SONGS SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF POST-WWII AMERICA Michael Penn is fascinated with the year 1947. "In so many of my interests and wherever they take me, that year keeps cropping up." On his new record Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947, Penn weaves historical, political and social events and themes into 12 meticulously crafted songs that tell a series of inter-connected stories of human relationships and romance set against the backdrop of post-World War II America. Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 paints a picture of a Los Angeles that doesn't exist anymore. "When I was writing these songs I found that I was placing myself, people, places and events into a different world. I knew what it was. I recognized it. It was America in 1947," says Penn. "The events set in motion that year were resonating for me more than ever. Some of it was just little things. The Department of War got a name change. The National Security Act was passed and the C.I.A. was formed. It was the year of the U.N. Partition and the invention of the transistor. The point is, this isn't what the record's about, but it's the sepia it occupies." On the self-produced album, Penn is joined by many longtime collaborators, including Patrick Warren (keyboards), Aimee Mann (background vocals and bass) and former member of L.A. cult band The Grays, Buddy Judge (harmony vocals). Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 will be released on Penn's Mimeograph Records via spinART Records on August 2, 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Still Michael Penn.......2007-05-08

I think March is THE album by MP. But to be true, Mr. Hollywood Jr is still a lot Michael Penn, still a lot a car driving companion, still a lot fun. Great guitars and rithm, lyrics and some athmosphere which has to be lived with closed eyes.
Acoustic and smooth.

Deep, melodic, fun music.......2006-04-24

I think the thing that hit's me with this cd is it's sense of conviction thru melodic emotion. It feel REAL. On top of that it blends in an interesting story of post WW2 America with subtly. Both factors were a complete winner for me. Michael does serious justice to the dying idea of the concept album all while retaining his quirky Beatles meet Cole Porter/Americana pop songwriting style. This is my new favorite album of his, and considering his quality work so far, that says quite a bit.

Wish there was more there........2006-03-27

I love almost every song on this album - not as wild about "Mary Lynn", but I like that Michael Penn dares to be different and challenge the listener and who knows, that song could eventually become my favorite. I have enjoyed all of Penn's work and feel that he's grown musically over time and this album may be his best work yet. I only wish there were more songs, this is the same way I felt about MP4, it just wasn't long enough. But I'll definitely take what I can get!

Great album from underappreciated talent.......2006-03-10

Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 by Michael Penn is a brilliant album. Penn is an excellent songwriter/storyteller in the tradition of classic folk artist's like Bob Dylan and Stephen Stills. While the music on this album reminds me of older artists, it is by no means dated. It has a fresh sound to it. Refreshingly deep, while still having pop sensibility. Wonderful harmonies and superb musicianship. The first single/video "Walter Reed" is a great representation of the album. Heady lyrics with beatlesque harmonies and music, while still maintaining and identity that is uniquely Micheal Penn.

Great Concept Album.......2006-02-24

This is a great album. The first two songs are fantastic! A bit depressing when one considers the concept of the album. I would have preferred a bit more of Michael Penn's trademark guitar, but you have to take into consideration what he is trying to get across with this CD. This work shows the depth of M. Penn and his songwriting skills. A good buy for anyone not too impressed with the current music scene. Hints of the Beatles.

Rap Music:

1. Nick of Time
2. No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls [Enhanced]
3. Now That's What I Call Music! 18
4. On Ne Change Pas [Content/Copy-Protected CD]
5. One Take Radio Sessions [EP] [Live]
6. Peachtree Road
7. Real Live [Live]
8. Room on Fire
9. Rosenrot [Import]
10. Sailing to Philadelphia

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Floorfillers

Modern American Classics, Vol.2: George/Griebling/Bokhour/Goodman

Playground (Blister)

Music: The World's 50 Greatest Composers [Box set]

That'll Flat Git It V.11: Rockabilly from the Vaults of Mercury Records [Import]

Ne Buoni Ne Cattivi [Import]

Majesty

Nielsen: Symphony No2; Symphony No1

Pickin' and Grinnin': The Best of Andy Griffith [Original recording remastered]

Los Salseros De Acero [Import]

Pandemonium

Picture Perfect [Import]

Ministry of Sound: Back to the Old Skool Club Classics [Import]

Edged in Blue

Still Warm